Category: Social
Inside Italy’s ultras: the dangerous fans who control the game | Tobias Jones | World news | The Guardian
Really fantastic read here. Well worth it.
‘We have to get back to football’: Copa América begins amid ashes of scandal | Football | The Guardian
Really good read here. So annoyed with Jeff Webb words can begin to express. Hopefully things do start to change both in CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.
‘It’s only working for the white kids’: American soccer’s diversity problem | Football | The Guardian
Good read here. It will take time, and a concerted effort, for change to occur. You would think coaches, clubs etc would do whatever to ensure talent, from whatever background, gets through but they may not be thinking about how US Soccer as a whole is being affected.
Yugoslavia in the 1990s: the wonder-team that never was – These Football Times
Yugoslavia in the 1990s: the wonder-team that never was – These Football Times
Absolutely brilliant read. Oh, what a team that would have been. As the author said, none of this is to trivialize the horrific actions and effects of wars in Yugoslavia but from a purely sporting perspective one can’t help but wonder what might have been.
Meet the woman taking on a century of patriarchy in Fifa | Football | The Guardian
Meet the woman taking on a century of patriarchy in Fifa | Football | The Guardian
Ms Samoura has a big role and an even bigger task ahead of her. Wish her the best of luck.
After incredible win, Leicester City is still a complicated place
After incredible win, Leicester City is still a complicated place
Really good read here. A great look at the city of Leicester in the midst of this season’s success.
Mamadou Sakho saga: should a team pay penalty if only one player fails drug test? | Football | The Guardian
Good read. To answer the question in the title. No. One failed test resulting a team penalty would be harsh and not, as Wenger says, acceptance of such usage.(He seems to be finding a lot to complain about this days) It could be a mistake, inadvertent etc. Yes, it should really never happen if players just check with trainers but it could happen. And yes, a fat burner could help increase physical performance, however minute, so I don’t think its unfair to include that.
The US women’s soccer pay dispute: a tangled web with no easy answers | Football | The Guardian
The US women’s soccer pay dispute: a tangled web with no easy answers | Football | The Guardian
Ah, someone else asks the question about giving up salaries. Definitely lots to consider in this situation for all involved. There’s still a few months before the Olympics but I’m not sure it will get fully resolved by then. Who knows though.
Women Earn The Glory While Men Earn The Money In U.S. Soccer | FiveThirtyEight
Women Earn The Glory While Men Earn The Money In U.S. Soccer | FiveThirtyEight
Well. Let’s see how this turns out. Certainly a valid argument for the US Women’s team. They’ve been the money-maker and the better US team for quite some time. There is one interesting thing to note as one of the articles mentioned. The US women’s team club salaries are paid for by the US Soccer Federation, something that’s pretty much nonexistent elsewhere. That’s because the Federation runs the NWSL, the US Women’s league. Some could say that US Soccer might use that as leverage by lessening salaries or saying the ladies will have to get that straight from the clubs moving forward if they want more bonuses, per diems etc for national team play. It’s a bit sinister but possible. The Women could in turn leave the NWSL and play in Europe, which would certainly put the NWSL in danger due to losing their star power. That’s sinister from the too but eye for an eye right? That’s unlikely though as they want to improve the women’s game in the US not harm it. Interesting to hear from the players in that last article. We probably won’t hear about his for a while. Unless, say, the US Women win the Olympics, but you would think things will turn out in these ladies favour. Guess we’ll see.
Always Thinking Football 